THE SECRET SONG OF THE 1%

Because you don't need bricks and mortar to build a wall anymore
By Joanna Syiek (Director/Producer/Blogger)

 

Sometimes you stumble upon an album and wonder how the world wasn't yelling about it sooner. Hadestown is one of those albums: a rare, wonderful gem of a folk opera by Anaïs Mitchell. And in addition to writing this folksy answer to The Who's Tommy, she also gathered up a slew of talented friends to record it with her including Justin Vernon (better known as the voice of Bon Iver), Ani DiFranco, Ben Knox Miller and more.

This particular tune seems to be a perfect analogy for present-day American disparity. It resonates as a proud song of the U.S. elite and a Brechtian exploration on man turning against his fellow man when times get tough. Think Weimar, or Occupy Wall Street, but it's been particularly fitting with the Republican National Convention comedy show spewing over every media outlet last week. 

"Because we have and they have not/ Because they want what we have got/
The enemy is poverty/ And the wall keeps out the enemy" 

So now for some hard truths. Romney has $197.1 million cash on hand. Nearly 200 Million dollars to spend as the Republicans wish. Outside spenders have thus far spent $86.7 million against Obama. Versus a thin $1.3 million for our incumbent. They are building the wall and building up high. 

Obama was known for his grassroots campaign for small donations first time around. This year, the size and spread of donations from candidate donors is looking notably skewed:

Now I'm not of the camp that money is the only thing that matters in life. On the contrary, I whole-heartedly believe that the best things in life are free. The second best things in life just happen to be ridiculously expensive. Let's hope that this "wall" is one we will still be able to scale when all is said and done.   

Figures: NY Times

JOANNA SYIEK is a Los Angeles-based music junkie with a penchant for long road trips, original theatre work, clean graphic design, and really good Indian food. She directs around the City of Angels and writes about nourishing creativity, Broadway favorites, and talent obsessions over on her blogging home. www.thoughtsontheatre.wordpress.com
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Comments

[Loren A. Roberts (guru of multi-hyphenate media)]

Thanks for posting Anaïs Mitchell...I'm loving her "Young Man in America" album right now...so I'll have to go back and listen to this whole thing too!

[Joanna Syiek (Director/Producer/Blogger)]

That album is one of my favorites. If you dig it, I have a feeling Hadestown will speak to you as well!